Montgomery - "Maison de Montgommerie ou de Montcommery"
Paris: 1872. First Edition. Leather bound. Manuscript on parchment. Probably Paris, dated 1872. Ca. 44 x 33 cm. With 5 coats of arms and one big initial as well as figurative vignettes and smaller initials (each in opaque colour and gold); half-title and title in coloured and gold calligraphy, headlines in red. Each page framed with an ornament of seashells and lines, with 2 chromolithographed heraldic plates bound-in and 2 mounted engraved portraits. 56 pp.
Red morocco with spine and cover title and inlayed heraldic shield, gilt stamped lilies and fillets on inner boards and outside edges and with a dublure in moire silk as well as 2 clasps (one clasp loosened, partially scratched, darkened edges).
Large-sized transcript of the chronicle of the House Montgomery, calligraphed in an extremely elaborate Roman type minuscule, adorned with coats of arms and vignettes, signed "I. Lancelevée". Initially published in volume 44 of "Annales historiques" by Louis Tisseron. Slightly soiled.
Impressive testimony of the desire for prestige by the aristocracy paired with perfect craftmanship.
The history of the family
Ecosse - Etats-Unis "points to the eventful history of the house: the Montgomerie family (German Montgomery or Montgommery) was a Norman noble family; Roger de Montgomerie (1005-1094), related to Wilhelm the Conqueror, was involved in the conquest of England in 1066 The French branch of the family died out in the 15th century, Richard Montgomery (1738-1775) came from the Irish-Scottish branch, initially a British officer, emigrated to New York and was an American general during the War of Independence Note on the title page "Deuxième édition completée - La première été detruite par les Prussiens": this is undoubtedly referring to the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71.
Two plates with coats of arms of the houses Montgomery and Pampar (also from the Annales historiques , Vol. 44); also engraved portraits by William Henry Montgomery (1816-1874), probably the man who commissioned the manuscript, and his wife Alexandrine from the Savoyard noble family Pampar (each from the Annales historiques, vol. 42). - The title vignette shows Gabriel de Montgommery as a tournament rider, the other vignettes with imaginative motifs in late medieval style, as well as the initials decorated with delicate tendrils. Good +. Item #2
Price: $3,000.00